Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 39

Ugh.

Beric jolted awake, retching in pain. Ian, who was reading a book beside him, watched over Beric, offering him some water.

When he returned to the barracks, he had just barely come to his senses, as the physician said. For someone who had a hole in his body, his recovery was quite remarkable.

Are you okay?

My stomach feels queasy

Why so?

I dont know. Did the physician mix alcohol with the medicine?

As time went on, his physical condition improved at an alarming rate. He still couldnt get out of bed, but from his speech and demeanor, it was clear that his life was out of danger.

Can you move your waist a little?

I really dont have any strength. Should I try it once?

No. The wound could rupture.

Ugh. What kind of herb did they boil so much of?

Beric grumbled, feeling the gritty remains of the herbs with his fingertips.

Ian looked him over thoughtfully, holding an empty cup. He knew that magic swordsmen had far superior combat capabilities and recovery rates compared to ordinary people. But he knew that, and yet

Was it always this much?

The speed of his recovery was not just surprising, but downright astonishing. Even the physician was shocked, so this must be something not even typical among the Cheonrye tribe.

Beric, do you remember your parents faces?

Huh? I do. Theyre all dead, but I remember them.

Since he was not an orphan from birth, he clearly remembered the faces of his mother and father. He even vividly retained some unpleasant memories.

Ian felt even more puzzled by Berics answer. If he didnt know, Ian might have suspected that Beric had the blood of a foreign race.

I see.

Huh?

As Ian pondered deeply, Beric grumbled.

Should have stabbed him both the left and right sides. That bastard made a hole in my side and then calmly closed his eyes. What was his name? Bel?

Beric looked resentful as they had exchanged blows. Bell was dead, and he had survived. When Ian nodded slightly, Beric gritted his teeth even more.

Those knight bastards, they didnt show their noses before. I guess they did train. By the way, when are we going back to Bratz?

Soon. It might even be tomorrow.

Yeah. Thats good news.

The central army is coming, and Dergha has rallied his soldiers. Soo is sending information from the border, but since its not real-time, I dont know the details. So, well leave as soon as possible.

Good, good. Its too hot here.

Beric, I dont think I can take you with me.

What?! Why?!

Beric turned his head sharply and reflexively clenched his side. That was exactly the reason. With such a deep wound, an ordinary person would have died.

You cant even walk.

I think Ill be able to walk by tomorrow.

Walking is not enough. You have to wield a sword. Focus on your treatment here until the matter in Bratz is settled.

I dont want to! Beric shouted as soon as Ian finished speaking, but he soon fell back, writhing in pain. Ouch, shit

You have no choice.

What? Youre using and abandoning me. Ruthless, traitor, piece of shit.

Ian smiled faintly, and Beric bit his lip, looking every bit the stubborn child.

If youre worried about the innkeeper of the tavern where you stayed, Ill look into it separately.

Though he had told them to quit the mansion when he left, Ian was unsure if Hannah and the servants had done so. They would surely take refuge near the bank, a tacitly neutral area, in the event of a battle. Beric clicked his tongue at Ians consolation.

Thats not it.

Then what?

The central army! The Counts soldiers! And even the Cheonrye tribe getting involved in a proper battle while I suck my thumb here. Isnt that too much?

The thrill of running through the battlefield, slashing with his sword, the electrifying feeling of life and death he had been waiting for it all.

Absolutely not. No objections. Carry me if you have to. Honestly, arent we like master and disciple, huh? How can a master abandon his disciple!

Beric. Quite surprising. To treat a master like this. Strictly speaking, its a master-servant relationship. Well, thats surprising too.

You said you would let me use magic! Every day is precious to me!

Dont you remember?

What? Dont change the subject, or else, ugh, shit

When you fought with Bel, you used magic yourself.

Who did?

You did.

Beric blinked at Ians words. From his expression of utter disbelief, it was clear that something had momentarily snapped inside him.

Ian smiled and tidied his blanket, soon spotting Nersarn entering the barracks.

Sir Ian.

Lord Nersarn.

Come outside for a moment.

As they hurriedly went outside, they found Kakantir with his face buried in the eagles neck, taking a deep breath. The acrid smell of blood was overpowering.

The timing is perfect.

Lord Kakantir?

Sir Ian, Dergha has succeeded in surrounding the mansion with soldiers. The investigation team seems to be holding out, but theyre likely waiting for central support, looking for an opportunity.

The investigation team is, as the name implies, an advance team sent down first for investigation. It would be too much for them to respond to a full-scale battle. The central army must have arrived by now.

The problem is the attitude of the territorys citizens.

The citizens of the territory?

At Ians question, Kakantir gave a short nod.

They have gathered at the center of the territory and taken up arms.

Ahh, thats because theres a bank there.

A bank?

Ian, who had also been tense, let out a sigh of relief. If internal strife were to break out amongst them, it would make the political situation harder to read. If it turns into a battle of four factions instead of three, the uncertainty would increase all the more.

Its Hayman Bank, which handles Bariels financial infrastructure. Its located in at least one area everywhere, probably in Dion.

We dont know much about the area behind Bratz.

There was a rebellion in Dion, and in the chaos, the bank was utterly destroyed. Consequently, Hayman Bank refused to do business with anyone associated with the Dion rebellion.

The rebels did not only lose their deposited assets but had to use only cash for all economic activities. They were reduced to carrying hundreds of kilograms of coins or losing them without traceability.

In Bariel, thats the only family running a bank. The rebels had no other way. Thanks to that, the momentum of the rebel army declined within a few years, and Bariel succeeded in suppressing the rebellion.

So the bank is a sanctuary.

Thats right. Along with the temple, its an inviolable area. The reason why the territorys people are flocking there must be precisely that.

That meant the smell of blood permeating Bratzs territory was far from insignificant. Ian spoke with an unintentionally serious expression.

We must hurry. The territorys people who dont receive the protection of the bank will increasingly turn to Derghas side over time.

The center of Bariel was the royal palace, but the center of Bratz was Dergha. The counts soldiers were family, neighbors, and friends. The desire to return to their previous lives would grow stronger as the homeland crumbled.

Well head into Bariel.

We will return to Bariel.

As Kakantir and Ian spoke simultaneously, Nersarn and the subordinates broke into laughter. The two exchanged glances again and uttered the same words.

First thing tomorrow.

* * *

What about Merellof?

They even refused to deliver the letter.

Damn merchants. This is why we cant associate with those types.

Dergha gnashed his teeth, thinking of the neighboring territorys Count of Merellof, who, like him, was responsible for border defense.

However, unlike Bratz, who is in opposition to the Cheonrye tribe, Merellof had been fulfilling its mission as a trade hub for the exotic kingdom of Hwan.

The soldiers on that side are never any good anyway. Since theyre all engaged in commerce, the laborers arent much better. It might be better to push them aside and declare independence after stepping on the central army this time.

Deo muttered while wiping the blood off his sword. If they declared independence, they would inevitably have to annex the neighboring territories to expand their land. As the Count of Merellof, who knew this well, it was a natural choice, but Dergha had audaciously felt betrayed.

Even if they didnt send soldiers, they could intervene, but Merellof was turning a blind eye to this situation, perhaps fearing even a spark.

Break it! Bring a bigger tree!

Dip the arrowhead in oil! Light it on fire!

Shoot! Keep shooting!

Waaaah! Come out, you bastards!

Move on! Keep moving on!

Aaaagh!

Thud! Thud thud!

They had only thought of facing the Cheonrye tribe; they hadnt expected to have to capture the estate like this. Dergha was incredulous at the situation without even a single siege engine, and yet he continued to shoot flaming arrows.

Whooosh. Whooosh.

Then it happened. The heavy sound of a horn reached Bratz. Everyone froze and looked back. On the distant horizon, something was swarming up like ants. It was the central support army, holding the flag of the Imperial Palace. Dergha scowled and pushed his soldiers even harder.

Hurry up! Hurry!

Dig the trench deeper from that end to this end!

Block the bridge coming this way!

Quick, quick!

Even the people inside the estate seemed to have realized that the central army had arrived, and finally, there was a reaction. Bratzs flag was lowered, and the flag of the Imperial Palaces investigation team was raised.

Those bastards

Dergha felt like his reason was going to break in his boiling rage. He wanted to kill them all, to burn the outsiders who had forced their way into his territory.

Lets go! Kill them all!

Move while sticking to this high ground as much as possible!

Killllllll!

He knew the terrain like the back of his hand after living there all his life. Even if they were the central army, in battle, they were half-conquered already.

Screeeech.

Giant birds circled above the Bratz territory. But the soldiers, watching the death-bringing enemy, didnt notice; only the territorys people, who were praying to the gods, confirmed the presence of the birds.

Let us in! Open the bank doors!

Ah! Dont push!

Hey! Im an employee here! Damn you all!

What nonsense is this person talking about? Move!

Save me! The central bastards killed everyone in the estate! Burned them alive! They said theyll tear off our limbs if the army comes!

Aaaah! Dont step on me!

Fortloga, where Hayman Bank is located. The desperate cries of the territory people trying to enter the impregnable sanctuary echoed everywhere. Those who couldnt leave their homes just locked up tightly and prayed.

Sister.

Yes?

Hannah, who was praying with her hands clasped, slowly opened her eyes at her younger sisters call. A light beam as wide as her palm was leaking out. Her innocent younger sister mumbled in wonder.

Its a really big bird.

A bird.

Hannah also looked up at the sky. A familiar sensation. Hana quickly realized that it was a bird of Cheonrye she had seen in the estate.